Access Points
Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points: Intelligent, High-Performance, and Centrally Manageable WLAN
A stable, fast, and comprehensive WLAN is essential for productivity and connectivity in businesses, educational institutions, the hospitality industry, and modern households. Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points (APs) set standards by combining professional performance, support for the latest Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and the emerging Wi-Fi 7), and exceptionally intuitive, centralized management via the UniFi Network Controller. From compact models for smaller environments to high-density and enterprise APs for the most demanding scenarios – UniFi offers a scalable and future-proof WLAN solution that impresses with its design and performance. Discover the world of Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points at etree and experience WLAN performance and management on a new level.
The UniFi ecosystem allows seamless integration of access points, switches, and gateways under a unified management interface, reducing complexity and increasing control.
Why Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points? The Convincing Advantages in Detail:
- UniFi Network Controller – Revolutionary Centralized Management: All UniFi APs are configured, managed, and monitored via the free UniFi Network Controller (as software, on a Cloud Key, or integrated into UniFi Dream Machines). This enables intuitive control of even the most complex WLAN installations from a single dashboard.
- Support for Latest Wi-Fi Standards: Ubiquiti leads in implementing Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (utilizing the 6 GHz band), and is beginning to introduce Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), ensuring higher speeds, more capacity, lower latencies, and improved efficiency in environments with many client devices.
- Excellent Price-Performance Ratio for Enterprise Features: UniFi APs often offer features and performance typically found only in much more expensive enterprise solutions.
- Scalability from Single APs to Large, Distributed Networks: The system is designed to grow with your requirements – from a single AP to hundreds of APs across multiple sites, all centrally managed.
- Diverse Models for Every Application Area: Whether indoor, outdoor, ceiling mount, wall mount, discreet in-wall devices, or flexible mesh APs – Ubiquiti offers a wide selection of form factors and performance classes.
- Advanced RF Management Functions and Performance Optimization: Features like band steering, client steering, airtime fairness, RF environment scans, and automatic channel selection help optimize WLAN performance.
- Robust Security Features: Support for WPA3 encryption, VLAN tagging for network segmentation, detailed guest portal options, RADIUS authentication, and integration with UniFi Gateways for advanced firewall rules and threat management.
- Elegant and Unobtrusive Design: UniFi APs are known for their modern, minimalist design (often with a configurable LED ring) that blends well into various environments.
- PoE Power Supply for Flexible Installation: Most models are powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE), simplifying installation and reducing the need for separate power outlets.
Ubiquiti UniFi Access Point Generations and Models at a Glance:
The core of UniFi APs is their integration into the UniFi ecosystem and support for the latest WLAN technologies:
Basics of the UniFi Ecosystem and Network Controller
The UniFi Network Controller is the central software for managing all UniFi devices. It provides a graphical user interface for configuration, detailed statistics, topology maps, user management, guest access management, and much more. It can run locally on a PC/server, on a UniFi Cloud Key, or integrated into a UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) / Dream Router (UDR).
Wi-Fi 6 Access Points (U6 Series - e.g., U6 Lite, U6 LR, U6 Pro, U6 Mesh, U6 Enterprise, U6 In-Wall)
The U6 series forms the current mainstream, bringing the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) such as higher efficiency (OFDMA), better performance with many clients (MU-MIMO), and longer battery life for end devices (TWT). Models like the U6 Lite and U6 LR (Long Range) are ideal for home users and small offices, while the U6 Pro and U6 Enterprise are designed for higher densities and more demanding enterprise environments. The U6 Mesh offers flexible mesh capabilities, and the U6 In-Wall is a discreet solution for wall mounting with additional switch ports.
Wi-Fi 6E Access Points (U6 Enterprise Models - e.g., U6 Enterprise, U6 Enterprise In-Wall)
These models extend Wi-Fi 6 functionality to the 6 GHz frequency band. This offers significantly more available channels and less interference than the crowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, resulting in higher speeds and lower latencies for compatible Wi-Fi 6E client devices. Ideal for environments with very high performance requirements.
Wi-Fi 7 Access Points (U7 Series - e.g., U7 Pro)
As a forerunner of the next WLAN generation, the U7 series (starting with the U7 Pro) offers the latest Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) technologies. These include Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for simultaneous connections across multiple frequency bands, 4K QAM for higher data rates, 320 MHz wide channels for massive throughput, and improved latency. These APs are designed for future-proof installations and extremely demanding applications.
Proven Wi-Fi 5 Access Points (UAP-AC Series - e.g., UAP-AC-Lite, UAP-AC-M, UAP-AC-PRO, UAP-AC-HD)
Although superseded by newer generations, many Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) models of the UAP-AC series are still reliable and capable options, especially for budget-conscious installations or environments without Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 client devices. The UAP-AC-M (Mesh), for example, is a popular choice for flexible outdoor or indoor mesh networks.
Key Technologies of Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points – Innovation for Your WLAN:
Wi-Fi Standards Explained (Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 Features)
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Brings OFDMA for more efficient channel use, MU-MIMO for simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices, Target Wake Time (TWT) for improved client battery life, and BSS Coloring to reduce interference. Wi-Fi 6E: Extends Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band with many new, wide channels. Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): Offers Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for higher speeds and reliability, 320 MHz channel bandwidth, 4096-QAM modulation, and improved latency.
The UniFi Network Controller in Detail
This powerful software allows not only basic configuration but also detailed monitoring (client connections, traffic, interference), RF scans for environmental analysis, creation of floor plan maps with AP placement and coverage simulation, a comprehensive guest portal with various authentication methods, and much more.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) for Easy Installation
Most UniFi APs are powered via PoE (IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at/PoE+, or 802.3bt/PoE++). This means only a single network cable needs to be run to the AP, carrying both data and power, which greatly simplifies installation, especially in hard-to-reach places like ceilings.
Advanced Wireless Features for Optimized Performance
Features like Band Steering (directs clients to the optimal frequency band), Client Steering (directs clients to the AP with the best signal), Airtime Fairness (prevents slow clients from bogging down the entire network), and support for standards like 802.11k/v/r (for improved roaming) contribute to a stable and high-performing WLAN.
Wireless Uplink / Mesh Technology
Many UniFi APs support Wireless Uplink, which enables the creation of a mesh network. In this setup, APs connect to each other wirelessly to extend WLAN coverage to areas where Ethernet cabling is not available. This offers high flexibility in network design.
Which Ubiquiti UniFi AP for Which Use? – Application Examples:
- Seamless WLAN in Modern Homes or Home Offices: U6 Lite, U6 LR, or the UniFi Dream Router (which has an integrated AP).
- WLAN Networks for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs), Practices, Law Firms: U6 Pro, U6 LR, U6 In-Wall for discreet installations in offices or rooms.
- High-Density Environments (Schools, Hotels, Event Venues, Open-Plan Offices): U6 Enterprise (Wi-Fi 6E), U6 Pro, or older UAP-AC-HD models.
- Outdoor WLAN for Patios, Company Grounds, Public Areas: U6 Mesh, UAP-AC-M, or other dedicated outdoor models.
- Discreet In-Room Solutions for Hotels, Dormitories, or Offices with additional LAN ports: U6 In-Wall, UAP-AC-In-Wall.
- Building Large, Centrally Managed Multi-Site WLAN Networks for retail chains or Managed Service Providers.
- Future-Proof Installations with Highest Performance Demands: U7 Pro (Wi-Fi 7) or U6 Enterprise (Wi-Fi 6E).
What to Look for When Buying a Ubiquiti UniFi Access Point? A Checklist:
- Required Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (for existing networks/budget), Wi-Fi 6 (current all-around standard), Wi-Fi 6E (for environments with many 6E clients and need for interference-free channels), or Wi-Fi 7 (for maximum future-proofing and performance)?
- Deployment Environment and Expected User Density: Size of the area to be covered? Number of concurrent clients and type of applications (surfing, streaming, data-intensive business apps)?
- Coverage Requirements and Antenna Characteristics: Range, radiation pattern (omnidirectional, sector antenna on special models)?
- PoE Supply: Compatibility with existing PoE switch/injector? Required PoE standard (802.3af/at/bt)?
- Management Infrastructure: Is a UniFi Network Controller already in place or planned (Cloud Key, UDM, UDR, software installation)?
- Network Infrastructure: Existing switches, router/gateway – UniFi Gateway recommended for full feature integration.
- Specific Form Factors or Features: Mesh capability, outdoor suitability, in-wall design with switch ports, or AP with particularly high client capacity needed?
- Budget: Ubiquiti offers UniFi APs in various price ranges, from entry-level to high-end enterprise devices.
At etree, you will find a wide selection of Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points. Our detailed product descriptions and the extensive resources of the Ubiquiti community will help you find the optimal AP for your WLAN project.